HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Common Areas for Dogs Committee - 04/12/2022Common Area for Dogs Committee
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Members present: Betty Milizia (Chr), Justin Palmer (Vice Chr), Mike Simoneau, Lisa Yankowski (Acting
Clerk), Linda Chiasson.
Missing Members: Molly Bezio-Joy (Clerk) & Muriel Moore
Staff Liaison: Holly Rees (Recreation & Parks Director)
Betty called the meeting to order at 6:03pm.
No Changes or additions to the agenda.
No public comment.
Meeting minutes from March 8, 2022.
- Lisa motion to accept, Mike 2nd. Approved.
Farrell Park Maintenance needs.
-Work cannot begin until after the wet areas have been evaluated. We have a date for May 4,
for the area to be mapped for possible wetlands located there. Adam, Holly will be joining Tina (VT NRC
wetlands consult). Vegetation growth needs to begin as part of the process.
- Thank You to the DPW for their help. The filler material with shovels to fill the holes and
depressions has reduced the amount of mud from all the rain. Betty & Justin met with Dan Albrecht
(DRB) when he had inquired about issues at the park. He was wondering about transitional work
meantime such as a bench. Justin tried to emphasize how badly the park needed work between water,
the holes dogs getting out under the fence. Dan was not completely convinced.
-Tom DiPietro from the Stormwater Dept is looking at alternative ways to draw water away from
the enclosed park area with pipes or grading as possibilities. The idea was mentioned as to whether or
not using railroad ties around the inside fence perimeter would help keep dogs inside.
-The question of emptying the trash barrel was brought up. There is a large barrel that gets
emptied when it is full, does not seem to be on a regular schedule. Per Holly, we will try once per week
November-May and 2 times/week June-October.
Dog poop is a big issue at Farrell, the bike path, Red Rocks Park. Betty is working on a proposal to have
more bag dispensers. She thinks we need to monitor how often they run out and need to be kept full to
encourage dog owners to grab one.
Committee Updates: Rec & Park from Mike
- The committee is not doing much currently.
- Lisa sent Betty’s letter to the NRCC with the hope of promoting developers having a spot for
residents with dogs to where they can do their “business”. Would like to have it added to
the LDRs. No fee back from the committee yet.
Discussion returned back to dogs and issues with poop, especially now with the snow melting and it
appearing. We all appreciate the owners who use bags but we do not appreciate bags that are left
behind. Who gets to pick everything up? The city DPW is too busy for the increased hours that would
be required. Mike brought up personal responsibility. This should not be expected to be done by city
groups and fines might encourage owners to be more diligent. Justin disagrees. You don’t educate
people by fining them. Make it easier for them by providing more dispensers. Opening the new park is
a positive. This topic will need more discussion. Betty wrote a reminder piece to dog owners published
in last week’s The Other Paper and posted on the R&P Weekly Blast and city semi-monthly publication.
She’ll try write more - once a month hopefully.
Note: Developer Eric Farrell is threating to start testing the poop from the pooches of his
tenants when poop is not removed properly. He is trying to promote better behavior.
Dog Incidences
-This was a kudo for registration: Lost dog at Overlook Park. Police were able to reunite the dog
and owner because of the dog’s license tags.
There were reports of dog poop on the bike path, (think spring thaw). And a call about off leash
dogs in Red Rocks & Szymanski Park. It is another big issue and the city just does not have the staff to
monitor all of the issues at all the parks and paths.
Dog Park Rules
Per Linda, they need “fine tuning”. Holly will send the list around for everyone to see and
maybe make suggestions.
- There are other considerations dog aggression- is it aggression or just play? Some owners do
not know how to tell. Are unneutered males an issue or will they be an issue? Education of dog and
owners could help with this issue along with providing easy access to bag dispensers.
Update on doc to Planning Commission and meeting with Paul Conner.
- Reference Betty’s letter for suggestions to the LDRs to incentivize developers to consider
future residents with dogs. And a meeting with Paul Conner happened.
- All the groups, NRCC included, find it hard to keep up with all the projects. Holly mentioned
joint meetings within the city departments trying to. It is difficult for them to keep up as
well. She will try and get a list together of topics they are addressing. Mike suggested the
city consider having one point person who could compile the list and send it out. It was
pointed out that our groups are advisory whereas the DRB has actual power to make
decisions based on rules and regulations approved by the city. We appreciate when they
want feedback from other committees.
Work Plan
-The committee members will be sent the action items list to review and comment on. We need
to update this since the city is requiring this from all the committees. Committee members are
encouraged to get suggestions back to Betty with 1 ½ weeks- Friday April 22.
CIP Initiatives (Capital Improvements Projects)
- Holly gave a brief overview of where funds for various items are coming from in regards to
the budget, how it flows to different projects. Much of what needs to be done will need to
be added to the budget ahead. We have money from licenses that can be utilized and we
can look to other sources of funding. A possible source might be funds from the ARPA
Funds the city received, (American Rescue Plan Act). The funds have to be allocated within
a certain timeline and a new rule may give us an opportunity for some of the funds.
Justin motioned to adjourn, Linda 2nd- Adjourned 7:30PM